It's Friday,
Yeah!
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-07-04 09:06
Logan jumped out of bed, throwing his bed covers everywhere. Thinking he must have overslept, he then realized he only had one class and that wasn't until this afternoon.
"Oh good grief, what have I done...Now I am wide awake and homework's all done," he said to himself. With a quiet groan he decided to go ahead and get dressed and then head down for breakfast. He noticed a few of the other students were beginning to move around as though just waking up.
"They seem to have better alarm clocks that me." he groaned to himself has he got ready for the day. Heading downstairs he decided to head for the Great Hall and some "breakfast," as usual he was starving. Hoping to see a few of his friends either already there or on the was he looked around the Commons room and then headed for the for the Great Hall...his stomach saying "FOOD...I NEED FOOD."
He had decided that today he wanted to go and talk with Professor Logan about the Whomping Willow. Since his main interests were in Herbology and eating, he thought that since it was early enough, might be able to catch her before her classes started. He was still fascinated with the big Willow and was wondering if there was any more like it or if it was a special design...
Meeting Drucilla
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 02-07-04 10:30
Sirius had spent the earliest part of the morning doing some much needed shopping in Hogsmeade and then Diagon Alley. At each of his stops in Diagon Alley Sirius arranged to have his purchases delivered to his home. His Hogsmeade home that is though the more Sirius thought about it he'd concluded he'd best visit the house on Grimmauld to find out what was in need of restocking. Thinking about that house led Sirius' thoughts to certain members of the Order. Lupin's absence seemed to indicate a mission of some sort. Dierna probably is making her way through a huge stack of work piled up from her St. Mungo's stay, that is if she's even been cleared to return to her job. Arthur Weasley. Sirius realized just how long it was he'd seen Arthur to even say hello to. Maybe he'd be up for a spot of lunch.
With this thought in mind Sirius makes his way to the Ministry's visitor entrance. Upon entering the call box, Sirius dials 62442 then gives his name and reason for being there when the "call" is answered. The requisite silver badge pops out and while Sirius pins on, he's delivered to the Atrium. Greeting Eric Munch, Sirius hands over his wand to be registered then boards one of the lifts, ducking out of the way as a memo goes shooting out.
Stepping out on Level Two, Sirius walks to Arthur's office, stopping occasionally to exchange friendly conversation with familiar faces. Getting no answer when he knocks on Arthur's door, Sirius pushes it open thinking he'll leave Sirius a note. A voice clear as crystal and cool as spring water asks, "Who are you and why are you nosing around in Arthur's office?"
Startled, Sirius swings around, an explanation ready on his lips only to become speechless. The woman is hands down the most beautiful Sirius has ever seen but without the airs of a woman who knows she's gorgeous. She arches an eyebrow. "Well?"
Sirius flushes at being caught dumbfounded. Not at all usual for him. He recovers quickly though and replies in a steady, calm tone. "I was looking for Arthur to invite him to lunch. Since he's not in his office, I thought I'd write a note."
Sirius holds out one hand, "I'm Sirius Black."
The woman puts a soft, silky hand in his and they shake hands. "I'm Drucilla. Drucilla Eternal, a co-worker of Arthur's. I've heard a great deal about you, Mr. Black."
"Please call me Sirius. I assure you only part of what you've heard is true, Miss Eternal or is it Misses?"
"Miss but if I am to address you as Sirius then please, call me Drucilla. I'm not really sure where Arthur's gotten off to. Would you like me to tell him you came by?"
"How about you come to lunch with me and we'll both leave him a note? And over lunch perhaps I can persuade you to have supper with me as well?"
Drucilla's reply is a bell like laugh followed by her getting a piece of parchment and a quill. Seconds later, Sirius is escorted Drucilla from the Ministry and inquiring, "Where would you like to dine?"
Playing Truant
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 02-07-04 19:39
Around mid morning I get officially released from St. Mungo's. Since half the day is gone, there's no point in going to my office right away. Besides which, I have to visit Nevvyn and finalise plans.
The older wizards smiles when he sees me come in, welcoming me with his usual warm way and ushers me to the back room for tea. When the brew is made and the biscuits brought out, he asks, "Have you further considered our field trip, dear lady?"
"Cinnte." I say. "There are two obstacles in the way: The well-named fool, Cornelius Fudge and his Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge. They are taking over control from the department and office heads. I should be able to request time off from the Head of MLE, Amelia Bones. We have an excellent working relationship. If I tell her I need time off for something important, she'll grant my request without too many questions. She knows that If I say it's important that it is. I like Amelia and respect her. She's fair and just. The best head since I've been at the ministry. Umbridge keeps passing these decrees, regulations who does what and how. The latest one was that any special request for time off need to be approved by her. Umbridge and Fudge don't trust me at all. I've always been outspoken me my support for the Olamh, and critical about Fudge. So they'll never approve any requests I put in, and I'm running short on 'excuses'. When I went to Norway to look for the Manuscript, I said I was going to a conference. I even faked some pamphlets, knowing Umbridge would come looking for proof as to where I was." I take a sip of tea and munch on a chocolate biscuit. "If we go on a Friday, then I'll just say I'm using one of my over time days. But if you think we'll need more time, we better think of a reason for my absence that those two ceólaun* will believe."
* a meddling, contemptible person
Hollow Victories
Author: Amashelle
Date: 02-08-04 09:17
She surveilled those that still lived. The past weeks had been long, and dangerous, but she had stayed. She could not afford to leave.
The giants had beaten a decision out of their comrades. Not all now lived, but there were now none who were brave enough to stand up to Gripe. Not when they were this weak and tired from their battles.
Gripe had given her his support. Given Voldemort his support. After many long months she had finally gained a little ground.
But there were only five remaining. Surely that was not enough for whatever he master had in mind.
Her task was not yet complete, but she was certainly glad that she had something to report, at last.
Dinner with
Sirius
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 02-08-04 16:50
I sat across from Sirius, finishing off the last bite of my dinner. My luck today was unbelievable. Who would have thought that I would be the one to make contact with Sirius Black, friend of the deceased James Potter, and current godfather of Harry Potter?! The things he must know Ð the secrets I could uncover!
It had been a bit risky, putting on my Veela charms around Sirius, but much to my own surprise it had worked! First lunch, then an afternoon spent roaming Hogsmeade, and now dinner at The Spinning Horn, I was practically giddy! Lord Voldemort would be so proud. Instead of singing the praises of Bellatrix, he would be praising me. Me! Shaking myself inwardly, I focused again on Sirius as we made our way out of the restaurant.
"Let's do this muggle style, and actually walk to your place".
As we walked down the quiet street, Sirius turned to me and grinned. "Why is it, that I've never bumped into you before now? You're not exactly someone I would have missed seeing, if you don't mind me saying."
I let my soft laugh float musically around him, as I gave my brief answer. "I'm new here. I wasn't in this area before receiving my job at the Ministry office." I paused to turn slightly and look him in the eyes. "And how are things for you, seeing you are the godfather to that famous Harry Potter of ours".
It was a testing question of sorts. I knew Sirius was very protective over the boy, and I needed to see how far I could go. I noticed a slight stiffening around his shoulders, but as I linked my arm through his he seemed to relax.
"Everything is great - with me and with Harry." He looked over and smiled.
Was he softening? I decided not to push my luck, and walked the rest of the way in content silence. I knew Arthur was my key, and apparently he was my key to Sirius Black!
Attack Cat
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 02-08-04 17:01
"Let go! Saturn! Saturn, I mean it! NOW!" Tranquillina struggled with Saturn. Where most people would have simply been removing one's cat from the bed, Tranquillina was locked in a battle to the death. Teeth of terror gripped her arm in an attempt to keep his claims.
"Saturn--OW!---Saturn! Bad boy! BAD! Down now!" Tranquillina screeched in pain. She rolled her aggressor onto his back, held him down, mimicked a "hiss" and sprung away as though her life depended on it----which, of course, at that moment it did.
"Really, Saturn," she rubbed her arm where the indentations left from the cat's teeth were, "What is wrong? What happened to not biting the hand that feeds you?! I love you, I pet you, I feed you, I keep you company....All I ask in return is to keep all my limbs!"
Though dangerous to do, Tranquillina removed her story from underneath Saturn, and stuffed it in her draw. She left the room while Saturn continued to hiss and spit in her direction.
"What took you so long?" Roane asked as Tranquillina strode into the common rooms. Roane had been waiting for Tranquillina so they could go down to the Great Hall for dinner.
"My 'cat', if you can call that beast a feline." Tranquillina mumbled under her breath, revealing her war-wounds.
"What happened exactly?" Roane persisted, suppressing a smile.
"I have a rabid-dragon for a cat, that's what happened!" Tranquillina smiled as she muttered under her breath. "Let's just eat. I'm starving, and food just might take my mind off the stinging sensation from my cuts."
Tea for Two...and
Plannning a Field Trip
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 02-08-04 18:41
Friday morning had been quiet... VERY quiet. Shortly before lunch, the door chimes jingle, waking me from a half-slumber. I was reading, and apparently dozed off. Herbology books can do that to you, sometimes.
Dierna steps in with a cheery "Helloooo?" and I set the book aside, rising to greet her. "Well, now!" I exclaim. "You're looking considerably livelier than when I last saw you. Fully recovered, I presume?"
"Better than ever!" she responds. "They released Hermione and Ron, yesterday, but they wanted to keep me around for another day. Not sure why! I've been feeling fine since Wednesday."
"Would you have time for a cup of tea and some chat?" I ask.
"Certainly!" Dierna replies. "That's what I'm here for. The chat, at least. But the tea would be welcome, too."
I set the pot to boiling and fetch the cups and the biscuits. She takes one of the big, soft chairs by the fire while I pour. "So! Have you had a chance to think about our Field Trip, dear Lady?"
"Surely!" she exclaims. "I've had little else to occupy my mind, sitting in that drab little room." She goes on to explain about the problems of getting away from work, and proposes that we take our little adventure on Friday after next.
"I'm quite sure we can do what we need to do and get back within a day, but the week-end would give us a bit of leeway, in case we run into trouble. You realize, of course, that it will be Samhain!"
"I do, at that. It should make things all the more interesting!" she says, picking at the last few crumbs on her plate. "Well then! That's settled. I'll come by early and we can leave from here."
"Very good!" I smile as I stand and walk with her to the door. "I'll have my things packed and ready to go. Take care now, and don't let Umbridge get under your skin."
Re: Attack
Cat
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 02-08-04 20:12
I winced sympathetically at Tranquillina's cat war wounds.
"Yee-ouch Tranquillina! Those scratches looked nasty and deep. If only I knew a spell to heal cat scratches..."
Noticing her alarmed expression I quickly added, "Not that I would try it. I mean, that sort of healing is best left to Madame Pomfrey. Anyways, we better get going for dinner. I bet the rest of the gang is waiting for us."
With that said, we both made our way to the Great Hall.
Overdue
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 02-08-04 21:31
The glorious hues of sunset are fading but still evident when Briar opens the garden gate and walks, or rather waddles in her condition, up the path to her front door. She bends to insert the key in the lock only to have a pain shoot across her lower back. Standing up straight, Briar blows out slowly through her mouth and with one hand massaging the last spot grabbed by the pain.
Approaching nearly two weeks past her due date and plagued by false labor pains nearly every day of the two weeks, Briar pauses on the threshold into her home, noting how different this most recent pain was than all the others so far. Perhaps this is the real thing and if so, the best thing would be to walk back to the shop or to Bill's.
Smiling, not only at the possibility that she's truly in labor but also at the thought of how being this far past her due date has aided in her lie about the time frame when the conception took place, Briar pulls her front door shut, locks it and retraces her steps down the path and out the gate. Briar only makes it a short distance along the lane when she has to pause for another wave of pain, this one also running fingers over her swollen belly.
As the pain subsides, Briar checks her watch to keep tract of the time until the next contraction. She resumes the walk but hasn't taken more than three steps when an elderly voice makes her pause.
"Do you need some help, dear? Your water hasn't broken has it?"
Briar smiles a greeting at the very old and very wrinkled woman. "No, ma'am. In fact, I'm not even sure this is real labor. I think it is but at this point I'm not certain. I thought I'd go where friends are just in case."
The woman's companion, an equally old and wrinkled lady who is so petite and standing slightly behind her friend that Briar didn't see her at first, chimes in just then. "Our house, we're sisters you know, is near. Come with us there and we'll send our owl Barty with a note to your friends. If you're water's not broken yet, there should be plenty of time for you to sit and relax with a cup of tea and for one of your friends to help you with whatever arrangements you've made for the babe's birth. Don't suppose the baby's da is around, else you'd be sending for him."
"He and I aren't married." Briar pauses, not sure of whether to mention the lie or not. In that split second pause she decides to say something afterall. "He's one of the friends I mentioned."
"Getting you in the family way I should hope he is a friend," the small one cackles.
"Let's be off, shall we? The sooner we get home, the sooner we can send Barty with the messages and get you comfortable while we wait. I'm Maisie and this is Minnie. We just moved back to Hogsmeade after many years away."
As the three woman resume walking, Briar replies, "I'm Briar. I have the bakery in town."
The short trip passes even more quickly than Briar expected, mainly because Maisie and Minnie keep up a constant stream of conversation the entire way.
Confessions
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 02-08-04 23:30
Since lunch yesterday Bronwyn had stopped asking questions about my and Arley's relationship. That was when I told her that I would tell her after classes today that I would tell her what she wanted to know. She had acted all calm and stuff, but she was completely the opposite. You could see in on her face.
So, after Charms class I headed back to the dorm with Bronwyn hard on my heels. It was like she was a little girl following an ice cream cone. She kept at it once we got in the dorm room itself. She only paused when closed the door behind us and said, "Alright, start talking."
"Alright," I said suddenly turning around, "Ummm... well... I'm not sure where to start."
"The beginning is a good place to start. Like, who that person he was going out with is."
"Ok, well, I guess that would be the best place to start. He went out with my sister."
"You have a sister?" Bron asked as she sat down.
"Yeah, I have one sister. She's my twin sister actually. Identical twin... Her name's Bianca."
"Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"
"Well, mainly because she hates me with a passion. She usually tries to kill me every chance she gets. I'm not quite sure why, but it might have something to do with me being older by five minutes and the whole older one is the favorite child thing. I'm not sure, but her last attempt gave me some serious bruises on my neck.
"She's also the reason I was sent over here. Separate the two of us by a couple thousand miles and we'll be fine. She is also the reason Arley's here too. His father sent him here because she's a bad influence on him and made him do some not so good things. You'd have to ask him for details." I stopped to look at Bronwyn who was sitting there looking like sheÕd be hit in the stomach. I just sat down on my bed to wait for her to completely absorb everything I told her.
There Must
be a Spell on It
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-09-04 00:10
Logan was quite confused. He had spent most of the last two days trying to get into see Prof. Logan about the Whomping Willow. Every time he headed in the general direction, his thoughts would simply change course and he would end up some where else. It was all very puzzling. But once he got back to his room or even sometimes the Great Hall, he would remember that he had wanted to talk to the Professor about that huge tree. It was quite baffling.
Suddenly a thought popped into Logan's head. "There must be some sort of "Forgetfulness Spell" on the Tree. I can't imagine why though." At this rate he would never find anything out about it.
Maybe he could ask some of his friends in the morning. Right now he was ready for some rest and that bed looked awfully good.
As he was drifting off to sleep, he thought he heard a deep voice saying..."I really could use a friend Logan...keep trying...keep trying...keep.....t...r...y.....i.......n.......g.............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Busy, Busy,
Busy Friday...and What'd I Do?
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 02-09-04 05:48
Lawrence as usual was up early on this Friday morning, he knew Vera was up early as well, since they both had the bulk of their classes today. He'd dress and wait for her in the common room before they'd go grab a quick breakfast before their rather large block of classes began. He kissed her and sent her off toward the dungeons for her Potions lesson, and he headed to Mister Turin's class.
The day would move forward, after DADA came Potions in the dungeon, followed by Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, and then Charms with Professor Flitwick. By no stretch was DADA his favorite, it was coming out of DADA that things got interesting.
He felt a hand stop his shoulder, and he turned around. "Hey Sally. What's up?" He asked with a grin and hugged her.
"Nothing much. So how'd ya think you did on that Ancient Runes quiz yesterday?" She asked returning the hug and the two started heading toward the dungeon for Potions with Snape.
He chuckled. "I think I did fairly well, I don't know why all of a sudden I was having so much trouble with the class, but thanks for your help. We still on for that study meeting at six tonight?" He asked as he opened the door to Snape's classroom and motioned her in.
"Of course, unless you have plans with Vera..." She said, obviously showing that she was willing to not interfere with his relationship with Vera.
He shook his head "I don't think I do. So we are still on for six tonight." He smiled, and found his seat and the potions lesson began.
After Potions the two headed upstairs to Transfiguration, which of course was interesting, and offered more homework than most of his classes today. "So what did you think of the Transfiguration lesson?" He asked Sally after they exited the classroom and headed toward Charms.
"It was alright, then again it's not my favorite class." She grinned and the two headed into Charms, which would as always be interesting becuase their teacher was always fun.
"Good afternoon Professor Flitwick." Lawrence said as he sat down in his seat and took out his wand and a few pieces of parchment. The lesson past rather uneventful and soon Lawrence was done for the day, except for that study meeting with Sally. "See you at six Sally."
He said and headed out of the classroom and to the Hufflepuff house. He put his books away and settled down on the couch in the common room.
He allowed himself a small nap while he was waiting for Vera to come back from her classes. His eyes opened as he felt someone settle on the couch next to him.
"Hullo Luv..." He said and offered her a soft smile and a kiss to her cheek. "How were classes?"
"Hey Luv.." She replied and returned the kiss, settling against him. "Classes went well enough, so what do you have planned for the rest of the day?"
Lawrence shifted slightly, wrapping an arm around her. "Nothing much, just got some homework, and a meeting with Sally after dinner...." The last said with a bit of hesitation.
Vera sat up and looked at him, obviously she had expected them to spend the evening quietly, and alone...but obviously she wouldn't get her wish entirely. "I see..." She said, settling back against him, though there was something different there.
"I promise I'll be back by seven at the latest. And if I'm not back by then, come get me and drag me back up here, Ok?" He kissed the top of her head. "We'll have the rest of the night to spend together, and we have quidditch practice tomorrow morning at 9 and can relax for the rest of the day."
This obviously seemed to calm her a bit. Which he wanted, and he wondered what upset her so much about him spending time with Sall. Oh well, he shifted and the two relaxed for a while and headed down to dinner before Lawrence would leave Vera for his meeting with Sally.
He headed into the Library and headed to his usual table with Sally. "Hey you!" He said and sat down next to her. "Ready to get this done. I promised Vera I'd be back in the common room by seven."
She nodded and the tutoring commenced. They went over countless runes and terms and various meanings for the runes. Lawrence was doing much better and they took a break and started talking. They shared a bit about each other, and they continued working as well. The time slipped by quickly and soon seven pm came and went, and Lawrence was none the wiser.
